An emergency services automatic dialing device enables at least one number in a list of alternate numbers to be called prior to dialing an emergency services number (e.g., 911). This enables a user of a corresponding portable transceiver to try to reach someone else (e.g., a family member) before having to resort to calling emergency services (e.g., 911 for fire department, police or ambulance). The dialing device can call several numbers in a list until all the numbers are exhausted before dialing the emergency services number. Calling the list of numbers can also be overridden by pressing a button on the portable transceiver in a particular way.